Contact retention and removal assembly for a multi-pin electrical

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector having a built-in tool for removing electrical contacts from the connector for maintenance and/or repair. Each of the contacts of the connector includes a movable bushing mounted thereon which is operable to release the contact from the connector insert. The configuration of the contact includes an annular groove that provides more secure retention of the contact. The configuration of the built-in tool includes one or more outwardly extending fingers that prevents inadvertent movement of the tool to a position that would release the contact from its secured position.

United States Patent [191 Hemmer et al.

[111 3,808,590 [45"] Apr. 30, 1974 CONTACT RETENTION AND REMOVAL ASSEMBLY FOR A MULTI-PIN ELECTRICAL Inventors: Valentine .1. Hemmer; Donald L.

Pfendler, both ofsidney, N.Y.

Assignee: The Bendix Corporation, Southfield,

Mich. 4

Filed: Feb. 27, 1973 App1..NO.: 336,310

US. Cl 339/217 s, 29/427 Int. Cl... H0lr 9/08 Field of Search 339/2175; 285/39, 321;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1963 Johnson 29/427 3/1965 Kelly 339/217 S 5/1968 Lutz et a1 29/206 3,447,819 6/1969 Borsum etal 285/321 3/1964 Bertram 339/217 S Primary ExaminerRobert L. Wolfe Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or FirmRaymond J. Eifler 7] ABSTRACT An electrical connector having a built-in tool for removing electrical contacts from the connector for maintenance and/or repair. Each of the contacts of the Connector includes a movable bushing mounted thereon which is operable to release the contact from the connector insert. The configuration of the Contact includes an annular groove that provides more secure retention of the Contact. The configuration of the built-in tool includes one or more outwardly extending fingers that prevents inadvertent movement of the tool to a position that would release the contact from its secured position.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures CONTACT RETENTION AND REMOVAL ASSEMBLY FOR A MULTI-PIN ELECTRICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In U.S. Pat. No. 3,1 10,093, entitled Contact Extraction and Insertion Tools, issued Nov. 12, 1963 to G. S. Johnson, there is disclosed a tubular tool for releasing removable contacts which slips over a wire attached to the contact and is moved axially around the contact to release the contact from a retaining clip. However, such a tool is limited in application to situations in which the tool can be slipped over the wire and there is adequate space between the wire and the bore wall surrounding the contact to permit the tool to be axially moved on to the terminal. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,558, entitled Electrical Connector Captivated Rear Release Tool, issued May 14, 1968 to L. H. Lutz, there is disclosed a tubular tool for releasing removable contacts which is permanently mounted on the electrical contact.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,292 entitled Electrical Connector, issued Nov. 3, 1965 to G. .l. Swanson et al., illustrates a multi-pin electrical connector of the type associated with this invention. One of the problems associated with multi-pin electrical connectors of the type that have removable contacts and a contact removable tool mounted thereon is that the removable tool is sometimes inadvertently moved into a position that allows the contact to be released. This is most undesirable because electrical continuity is lost between two terminals that should have been mated. Another disadvantage of these type connectors is that the retention members that retain the contacts do not extend inwardly a sufficient distance to adequately secure the contact against movement when a small amount of axial force is applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a contact retention and removal assembly that provides greater retention of the electrical contact once secured in the connector insert and provides a mechanism for avoiding the inadvertent operation of the built-in contact removal tool.

The invention is a contact retention and removal assembly for a multi-pin electrical connector characterized by a contact removal bushing (40) that includes one or more fingers (41) that extend outwardly with respect to the axis of the bushing to prevent the removal bushing from entering the insert passage unless an axial force of predetermined amount is applied; and

an electrical contact (30) that includes an annular groove (33) behind the retention shoulder (32) so that the retention member (21) deflects radially inwardly a greater distance than would be accomplished without the groove (33), whereby more secure retention of the contact (30) is obtained.

In one embodiment of the invention, the invention is described as a contact retention and removal assembly for a multi-pin electrical connector of the typehaving a dielectric insert (10) having axially aligned contact receiving passages extending from a first face (11) of the insert to a second opposite face (12); each of the passages having an enlarged passage portion forming at the junction thereof an internal shoulder (13) facing the second face, 12), the assembly comprising: a contact retention bushing mounted in the enlarged passage portion of each of the passages, the bushing having at least one radially deflectable member (21) that extends inwardly with respect to the axis of said bore in a direction towards the insert first face (11); a contact mounted in each of the bushings (4.0), each of the contacts (30) having an enlarged section forming a first shoulder (31) that faces in the direction of the first face (11) and engages the internal shoulder (13) in the passage to prevent further movement of a contact toward the first face (11) and a second shoulder (32) that faces in the direction of the second face (12) and engages the retention member (21) to prevent movement of the contact (30) in the direction of the second face (12), the contact (30) further including an annular groove (33) adjacent the second shoulder (32) to receive the retention member (21) and permit the retention member to deflect inwardly a greater distance than would be accomplished without the groove (33) whereby more secure retention of the contact (30) is obtained; and a contact removal bushing slidably mounted around a portion (36) of each of the contacts 30) that extends from the contact second shoulder (32) in the direction of the insert second face (12), each of the bushings (40) including at least one deflectable member (41) extending outwardly with respect to the axis of the bore in a direction away from the contact second shoulder (32), the dc flectable member (41) of the removal bushings preventing the removal bushing (40) from completely entering the passage in the insert until sufficient axial force is applied to inwardly deflect the deflectable members (41), the removal bushing (40) being movable in the direction of the second shoulder (32) by an axial force applied to the removal bushing in the direction of the first face whereby when such force is applied to the removal bushing, the removal bushing deflects the retention members (21) out of engagement with the contact second shoulder (32) to permit withdrawal of the contact.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a contact retention and removal assembly that provides for more secure retention of an electrical contact and also provide a mechanism that prevents inadvertent operation of the contact removal tool.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tool 7 for removing electrical contacts from a multi-pin elec- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the contact retention and removal assembly with the removal tool in its normal position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the contact retention and removal assembly illustrating the removal tool in its inserted position and the contact in its partially withdrawn position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, that includes an electrical connector dielectric insert a contact retaining mechanism an electrical contact (30), and a captivated removal bushing (40).

The dielectric insert includes a bore that extends from a first face (11) to an opposite second face (12).

Disposed within the passage of the insert (10) is a retention mechanism (20) which generally includes one or more radially deflectable fingers or members (21) that extends inwardly with respect to the axis of the insert bore. These reflectable retention members (21) cooperate with a shoulder (32) on the contact 30) to prevent movement of the contact (30) in the direction of the second face (12). Passage in the insert further includes means for stopping the movement of the contact (30), in the direction away from said second face (12), at a predetermined point. In this embodi-. ment the stop means comprises an internal shoulder 13) that engages a shoulder (31) of the contact (30) to prevent further movement of the contact (30) in a direction away from the second face (12).

The electrical contact (30) includes an enlarged portion that forms a first shoulder (31) and an oppositely facing second shoulder (32). The first shoulder (31) faces in the direction of the insert first face (11) and the second shoulder (32) faces away from the first face (11) and in the direction of the second face (12). The first shoulder (31) is adapted to engage the insert shoulder (13) within the passage to prevent further movement of the contact (30) in the direction towards the first face (11). The second shoulder(32) is adapted to engage the radially deflecting retention member (21) to prevent movement of the electrical contact (30) in the direction of the insert second face (12). The contact first shoulder (31) and second shoulder (32) together with the insert shoulder (13) and retention member 21) operate to captivate the electrical contact (30) in a predetermined position within the electrical connector insert (10). Immediately adjacent the enlarged portion of the contact is an annular groove (33) that allows the retention member (21) to deflect inwardly a greater distance than would be accomplished without the groove (33) whereby a more secure retention of the contact is obtained. The remaining end portion (36) of the contact is adapted to receive an electrical conductor (not shown) at one end by either soldering or by the ferrule (50). The end portion (36) is also adapted to slidably support the removal tool (40).

The removal bushing (40) is mounted around the end portion (36) of the contact (30) and includes a radially 6 extending flange (44) that facilitates the application of an axial force, in either direction, applied to the removal bushing (40). The forward portion of the removal bushing (40) is generally comprised of a tubular member that includes one or more outwardly extending fingers (41). It is the function of these outwardly extending fingers (41) to prevent inadvertent movement (caused by small axial forces) of the removal bushing (40) into a position that would disengage the retention fingers (21). Further, the extending fingers (41) give visual indication that the retaining fingers (21) are disengaged and the contact is not secured when the fingers (41) are not radially extended. The removal bushing (40) is captivated on the contact 30) by the contact second shoulder (32) and the ferrule which attaches an electrical conductor to the contact.

FIG. 2 illustrates the contact removal bushing (40) in the inserted position and the radial deflection of the contact retention members (21) that allows withdrawal of the contact (30). In this figure, the contact (30) is shown in a partially withdrawn position wherein the enlarged portion of the contact (30) is located in a position that does not permit the retention members (21) to engage the contact second shoulder (32) and prevent withdrawal of the contact (30) from the insert.

OPERATION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention operates as follows. When a contact (30) is inserted into the insert (10), the retention members (21) engage the shoulder (32) to secure the contact in a position that does not allow movement of the contact in a direction of the second face (12) of the insert (10). To remove a contact (30) from the insert (10), an axial force is applied to the flange (44) of removal bushing (40) in the direction of the contact shoulder (32). As can be seen, the axial force moves the bushing (40) until it deflects the retention members (21) and then engages the shoulder (32). Simultaneously, as the bushing (40) was moved in the direction of the shoulder (32), the radial extending fingers (41) are depressed back into alignment with the walls of the bushing by action of the inside walls of the insert passage. Once the bushing 40) is inserted into this position, the contact may be withdrawn as is illustrated in FIG. 2.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apprent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the invention as set forth in the appended claims, and in some instances, certain features of the invention may be used to advantage without corresponding use of other features.

Accordingly, it is intended that the illustrative and descriptive materials herein be used to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A contact retention and removal assembly for a multi-pin electrical connector of the type having a dielectric insert having axially aligned contact receiving passages extending from a first face of said insert to a second opposite face of said insert, each of said passages having an enlarged passage portion forming an internal shoulder facing said second face, said assembly comprising:

a contact retention bushing mounted in the enlarged passage portion of each of said passages, said bushing having at least one radially deflectable member that extends inwardly with respect to the axis of a contact mounted in each of said bushings, each of said contacts having an enlarged section forming a first shoulder that faces in the direction of said first face and engages said internal shoulder in said passage to prevent further movement of said contact toward said first face and a second shoulder that faces in the direction of said second face and engages said retention member to prevent movement of said contact in the direction of said second face, said contact further including an annular groove adjacent said second shoulder to receive said retention member and permit said retention member to deflect inwardly a greater distance than would be accomplished without said groove whereby more secure retention of said contact is obtained; and

a cylindrical contact removal bushing slidably mounted around a portion of each of said contacts. that extends from said contact second shoulder and in the direction of said insert second face, each of said bushings including at least one deflectable member extending outwardly of the cylinder of the removal bushing in a direction away from said contact second shoulder, said deflectable member of said bushing located to engage a wall of said passage before said removal bushing engages the said deflectable member of said retention bushing, preventing said removal bushing from completely entering said passage until sufficient axial force is applied to deflect inwardly said deflectable members, said removal bushing being movable in the direction of said second shoulder by an axial force applied to said removal bushing in the direction of said first face whereby when such force is applied to said removal bushing, said removal bushing deflects said retention members out of engagement with said contact second shoulder to permit withdrawal of said contact.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTEION Patent No. 380859O D d April 3 97 Inventor) Valentine J Hemmer; Donald L. Pfendler It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Title after the word"'ELECTR|'CAL",-- Insert the word "CONNECTOR".

Signed and s aled this 10th day" of September 197A.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC EIE' E Q U 5, GOVERNMENT IRINTINO OFFiCE I959 .E-L-EEA FORM wo-wso (10-69) 

1. A contact retention and removal assembly for a multi-pin electrical connector of the type having a dielectric insert having axially aligned contact receiving passages extending from a first face of said insert to a second opposite face of said insert, each of said passages having an enlarged passage portion forming an internal shoulder facing said second face, said assembly comprising: a contact retention bushing mounted in the enlarged passage portion of each of said passages, said bushing having at least one radially deflectable member that extends inwardly with respect to the axis of said passage in a direction towards said insert first face; a contact mounted in each of said bushings, each of said contacts having an enlarged section forming a first shoulder that faces in the direction of said first face and engages said internal shoulder in said passage to prevent further movement of said contact toward said first face and a second shoulder that faces in the direction of said second face and engages said retention member to prevent movement of said contact in the direction of said second face, said contact further including an annular groove adjacent said second shoulder to receive said retention member and permit said retention member to deflect inwardly a greater distance than would be accomplished without said groove whereby more secure retention of said contact is obtained; and a cylindrical contact removal bushing slidably mounted around a portion of each of said contacts that extends from said contact second shoulder and in the direction of said insert second face, each of said bushings including at least one deflectable member extending outwardly of the cylinder of the removal bushing in a direction away from said contact second shoulder, said deflectable member of said bushing located to engage a wall of said passage before said removal bushing engages the said deflectable member of said retention bushing, preventing said removal bushing from completely entering said passage until sufficient axial force is applied to deflect inwardly said deflectable members, said removal bushing being movable in the direction of said second shoulder by an axial force applied to said removal bushing in the direction of said first Face whereby when such force is applied to said removal bushing, said removal bushing deflects said retention members out of engagement with said contact second shoulder to permit withdrawal of said contact. 